January 20, 2009

20 things that I learnt working for others

Working in a company/office has its advantages. You come across different kinds of people and you can learn so much about life from them. You encounter same kind of stereotypes wherever you go. Following are the things that I learnt in my previous jobs.

How you appear is most important than how you perform in your job. Remember to create a professional image all the time; learn what's going on in your industry; speak them up whenever you can.

How you communicate is more important than how you do the job.

Any job will become a routine, mundane job after some time. You need to stretch yourself to make it interesting. If you can't do it, then quit.

Always have some ideas up your sleeve to tell your manager on how to improve things.

Take responsibilities when offered, they are the pathway to move up the career ladder.

Come at least 5 minutes earlier than the office start time. You can go home on the dot.

Use Emails more often than phone. You have got a written proof when you send emails.

Assume that your browsing habits (for personal use) are monitored. In all probability, the company would keeping an eye on them.

Be nice with your receptionist / administrative assistants. They run the company.

Avoid gossiping. Be neutral.

If there is a specific lunch time, get out of the office and go for a walk. You will feel better when you return back to your desk.

When you like something about your colleague, tell it in the next meeting. When you don't like something, tell them in private.

Bad people. They will be everywhere. Know how to handle them.

Don't do the works allotted to your colleagues. You tell them how to do and let them do it.

Trust people. Tell them how much you depend on them and how only they can pull-off a work like that.

Compliment people; Give credits to others. Nice employees leave company not because of less salary, but for the lack of recognition.

Tell your team members that it is "OK" to take risks. Only by taking risks, you can invent things.

Remember birthdays of your colleagues.

You can't expect a person to be loyal to your company when you don't trust him. Read that once again.

4 comments:

I probably won't know the significance of these points while I am still a student. So, I am bookmarking this post for later reading. I had skimmed thru this post and was impressed. This post should help me when I join in September/October :)

3: My job flatly denies the opportunity to stretch ones abilities. All attempts to grow are slapped down unless they agree with the status quo.

4: I used to give ideas. Until I realised none were listened to until about 3-4 weeks later the boss had the exact same idea and complete amnesia that I'd ever mentioned it!!

7: NO! Email means you are avoiding talking to the person. When your boss is over 40 they dislike email - no matter how technical they are. They believe the only valid form of communicating is phone or face-to-face.

9: True.

11: The 'boss' doesn't like us going out for lunch.

12: The 'boss' likes to highlight peoples failings in a public meeting. He tells you quietly if he likes something.

15: Shame the boss doesn't agree with that sentiment.

18: Don't celebrate birthdays!

19: The 'boss' trusts no one. Cameras everywhere. He checks what you're doing outside of work.